Digital Collections

Off-Campus Troubleshooting

Subscription databases usually identify users based on internet IP addresses. This allows full access to on-campus, Olin Wi-Fi users.

Enable off-campus access via 2 equally easy methods: use the Olin VPN (see IT help pages), or, use Library configured-links to subscribed databases. All subscription databases linking out from Olin Scholar, and in our A-Z list, are configured to grant access.

Academic Digital Resource Hubs

A-Z Database List: Direct access to specialized databases by field, including engineering, science, and humanities resources. Use for targeted research in specific subject areas.

Olin Scholar: Searches multiple databases simultaneously for comprehensive research across disciplines. Ideal for broad topic exploration and interdisciplinary research.

Note for users: the physical catalog and Olin Scholar are separate systems and do not contain information from the other, as of 2025.

Ebooks and Audiobooks

Libby

  • Minuteman's network-wide collection of thousands of books, including Olin-exclusive content, for academic and leisure reading. Requires MLN account with password activation (see MLN page or library.olin.edu for more info).

Olin Scholar/EBSCO Ebooks

  • Course Materials: The Library proactively licenses available ebook and audiobook versions of all Course Reserve items. We send the full list of urls to instructors at the beginning of each semester. Almost all digital versions are in Libby (MLN password setup required) or via direct link to EBSCOhost (Olin Scholar).

  • Accessibility: All Olin-licensed ebooks are hosted on screen-reader compatible platforms. Please report any screen reader issues to the Library.

  • Purchase requests: The Library will license available ebook and audiobook versions upon request, as our policies and budget allow. We accept and encourage purchase requests for both academic and leisure materials.

Digital Resource Policies

Authorized users: Access limited to Olin community members. Some databases are accessible to visitors physically present in the Olin Library.

Commercial use prohibited: Cannot sell information from or use licensed resources for commercial purposes.

Privacy protection: The Library protects privacy of digital resource usage as required under FERPA and recommended by the American Library Association. Usage records are kept to the minimum needed for library workflows.

Copyright compliance: Licensed resources follow Information Technology policies. Librarians can advise on best practices for copyright and Fair Use but do not provide legal advice.


Mid-year policy updates: Current policies and Library updates are posted at library.olin.edu. Contact us any time with policy questions or clarification requests.